Chicago · Licensed center
Spark Montessori
At a glance
- Medium Montessori center, licensed for 70 children.
- Hours 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., 5 days a week.
What to know
The license is the range the state allows. It does not say which ages have openings.
What the state has found
The state cited rules at all 11 of its licensing inspections since March 2019.
See each inspection
Licensing inspections
Jan 16, 20263 citations
Background Checks for Personnel
Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2)
Feb 28, 20258 citations
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(i)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)
Program Requirements for All Ages
Program Requirements for All Ages
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(d)
Background Checks for Personnel
Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
Feb 14, 20247 citations
Substitutes
Substitutes
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.170(a)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
Background Checks for Personnel
Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1)(g)
Health Requirements for Children
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(3)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)(a)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
Jan 23, 20235 citations
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(4)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
Nov 5, 202012 citations
Provisions Pertaining to the License
Provisions Pertaining to the License
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.60(g)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(b)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)(a)
Health Requirements for Children
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)
Health Requirements for Children
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(4)
Health Requirements for Children
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5)
Health Requirements for Children
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(6)
Qualifications for Child Care Director
Qualifications for Child Care Director
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(m)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
Nov 12, 201910 citations
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(3)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(4)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
Medications
Medications
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(e)
Background Checks for Personnel
Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110
Guidance and Discipline
Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a)
Organization and Administration
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(i)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
Sep 26, 20197 citations
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(4)
Background Checks for Personnel
Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
Jul 16, 20191 citation
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
May 28, 20193 citations
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(3)
Apr 25, 20192 citations
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)(a)
Nutrition and Meal Service
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(k)(1)
Mar 14, 20197 citations
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(4)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Background Checks for Personnel
Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
The state cited rules at all 11 of this center's inspections. Most Chicago-area centers inspected 10 or more times had fewer: 78% of 868.
How all 868 Chicago-area centers inspected 10 or more times compare
Of the 868 Chicago-area centers the state inspected 10 or more times, how many of those inspections cited a rule:
- Some78%
- All22%This center
Read every record and the state’s reports
State record — Illinois DCFS
- Last visit
- January 16, 2026
- On file
- 11 visits since March 2019 — all of them cited findings
- Fixed?
- The latest correction deadline was February 16, 2026. Illinois DCFS does not publish whether it was made.
- Most serious
- Illinois DCFS does not publish a severity level for a citation, so there is no most-serious to name.
Illinois DCFS cites each subsection of a rule separately, so one audit of a filing cabinet can produce ten citations. It publishes the rule’s title and a correction deadline, but no description of what was observed.
Jan 2026 Monitoring visit 3 findings
Monitoring visit · January 16, 2026
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f) · Violation substantiated
Background Checks for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110 · Violation substantiated
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2) · Violation substantiated
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 574839 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Feb 2025 Monitoring visit 8 findings
Monitoring visit · February 28, 2025
General Requirements for Personnel
4 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(2) through (i) · Violation corrected · Rule cited again
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(2) · 407.100(c)(5) · 407.100(f) · 407.100(i)
Background Checks for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110 · Rule cited again
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4) · Violation corrected
Program Requirements for All Ages
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(d) · Violation corrected
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 574839 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Feb 2024 Monitoring visit 7 findings
Monitoring visit · February 14, 2024
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1)(g) through (4)(a) · Violation substantiated
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1)(g) · 407.250(i)(4)(a)
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f) · Violation substantiated
Background Checks for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110 · Violation substantiated
Substitutes
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.170(a) · Violation substantiated
Health Requirements for Children
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(3) · Violation substantiated
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Violation substantiated
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 574839 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Jan 2023 Monitoring visit 5 findings
Monitoring visit · January 23, 2023
Personnel Records
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3) through (e)(4) · Violation substantiated
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3) · 407.120(e)(4)
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f) · Violation substantiated
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Violation substantiated
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Violation substantiated
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 574839 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Nov 2020 Monitoring visit 12 findings
Monitoring visit · November 5, 2020
Health Requirements for Children
4 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a) through (6) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a) · 407.310(a)(4) · 407.310(a)(5) · 407.310(a)(6)
Provisions Pertaining to the License
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.60(g) · Violation corrected
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) · Violation corrected
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · Violation corrected
Qualifications for Child Care Director
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(m) · Violation corrected
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(b) · Violation corrected
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)(a) · Violation corrected
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Violation corrected
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 574839 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Nov 2019 Monitoring visit 10 findings
Monitoring visit · November 12, 2019
Personnel Records
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) through (e)(4) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(e)(4)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2) through (3) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2) · 407.370(f)(3)
Organization and Administration
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(i) · Violation corrected on site
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) · Violation corrected
Background Checks for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110 · Violation corrected on site
Guidance and Discipline
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a) · Violation corrected on site
Medications
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(e) · Violation corrected
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 574839 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Sep 2019 Monitoring visit 7 findings
Monitoring visit · September 26, 2019
Personnel Records
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) through (e)(4) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(3) · 407.120(e)(4)
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) · Violation corrected
Background Checks for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110 · Violation corrected
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Violation corrected
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 574839 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Jul 2019 Monitoring visit 1 finding
Monitoring visit · July 16, 2019
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 574839 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
May 2019 Monitoring visit 3 findings
Monitoring visit · May 28, 2019
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2) through (3) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2) · 407.370(f)(3)
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 574839 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Apr 2019 Monitoring visit 2 findings
Monitoring visit · April 25, 2019
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)(a) · Violation corrected
Nutrition and Meal Service
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(k)(1) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 574839 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Mar 2019 Monitoring visit 7 findings
Monitoring visit · March 14, 2019
Personnel Records
4 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) through (e)(4) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(3) · 407.120(a)(4) · 407.120(e)(4)
Background Checks for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110 · Violation corrected on site
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Violation corrected
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 574839 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
A day here
7 a.m. to 6 p.m., 5 days a week
Schedule
- Schedule
- Full-week (5 day), part-week (2-3 day, Toddler only), and half-day (Primary) (the brand’s policy for all its schools)
How they teach
Montessori
“Spark Montessori's Primary Program is the core to a Montessori education and is designed to meet the unique needs of children aged 3 through 6 years old.”
Details
- Phone
- (773) 790-7155
- Address
- 4326 N California Ave, Chicago, 60618
- Ownership
- For-profit
We couldn’t find some information that may matter to your decision: openings, child care subsidies, cost, ratios and staff, a typical day, and sick and biting policies. We can ask the program for you and copy you in.
Sources and dates
Where every fact on this page came from, and when Shortlist last checked it against that source. Anything Shortlist could not source is named here rather than left blank.
How they teach
- Approach — Checked August 2026 sparkmontessori.org
State record
From Illinois DCFS’s published reports, last checked November 8, 2026.
A day here
- Hours, Schedule — Checked August 2026 sparkmontessori.org
Details
- Phone, Address, License — Checked July 2026 sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov/…/ProviderLookup.aspx. To check it, open sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov's Licensed Provider Lookup, enter "SPARK MONTESSORI" under Provider Name and 60618 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 574839).
- Website — Checked August 2026 sparkmontessori.org
- Ages on the license — Checked November 2026 sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov/…/ProviderLookup.aspx. To check it, open sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov's Licensed Provider Lookup, enter "SPARK MONTESSORI" under Provider Name and 60618 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 574839).
- Ages they serve — Checked August 2026 sparkmontessori.org
- Ownership — Checked October 2026 data.cityofchicago.org
Medium means the middle half of Chicago-area’s 1,948 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 49 to 118 children. Small is 8 to 48; large is 119 to 487.
The ages on the license are what the state licenses it to care for, which can be wider than the ages it takes.